ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE LATEST UPDATED 2026-
2027 ACTUAL FINAL EXAM PREP WITH 100 WELL
ELLABORATED EXPERT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED RATIONALES
RATED A+ GRADE MOST RECENT!!!
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding is an
early indication of
fluid volume overload?
A) Jugular venous distention
B) Crackles in lung bases
C) Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
D) Peripheral edema 2+
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight gain is the earliest indicator of fluid retention
before physical signs appear.
2. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal
pain. Blood glucose is 380 mg/dL. Which additional finding suggests
diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Serum bicarbonate of 22 mEq/L
,B) Anion gap of 8
C) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
D) Deep, rapid respirations (Kussmaul)
Answer: D
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are compensatory for metabolic
acidosis in DKA.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for warfarin.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
B) "I will eat more leafy green vegetables daily."
C) "I will report any bruising or bleeding to my provider."
D) "I will check my blood glucose twice daily."
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; bruising/bleeding requires
provider notification.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen
minutes after
initiation, the client reports chills and low back pain. The nurse should
first:
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Slow the infusion rate
,C) Administer acetaminophen
D) Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: Suspected transfusion reaction requires immediate
discontinuation of blood product.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Pursed-lip breathing
B) Barrel-shaped chest
C) Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D) Use of accessory muscles and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Confusion indicates worsening hypercapnia or hypoxemia;
accessory muscle use shows respiratory distress.
6. A client with major depressive disorder is started on phenelzine, a
monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI). Which food should the nurse instruct the client to
avoid?
A) Broiled chicken
B) Aged cheese
C) Apples
, D) Rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Aged cheese contains tyramine, which can cause
hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The client’s
apical pulse is 52 bpm.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer the digoxin as ordered
B) Hold the dose and reassess in 30 minutes
C) Hold the dose and notify the provider
D) Give atropine to increase heart rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is held for HR <60 bpm in adults; provider should be
notified.
8. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump. The client is somnolent with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min.
Which action is
most important?
A) Encourage deep breathing
B) Discontinue the PCA and administer naloxone
C) Increase the PCA basal rate
2027 ACTUAL FINAL EXAM PREP WITH 100 WELL
ELLABORATED EXPERT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED RATIONALES
RATED A+ GRADE MOST RECENT!!!
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding is an
early indication of
fluid volume overload?
A) Jugular venous distention
B) Crackles in lung bases
C) Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
D) Peripheral edema 2+
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight gain is the earliest indicator of fluid retention
before physical signs appear.
2. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal
pain. Blood glucose is 380 mg/dL. Which additional finding suggests
diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A) Serum bicarbonate of 22 mEq/L
,B) Anion gap of 8
C) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
D) Deep, rapid respirations (Kussmaul)
Answer: D
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are compensatory for metabolic
acidosis in DKA.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for warfarin.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
B) "I will eat more leafy green vegetables daily."
C) "I will report any bruising or bleeding to my provider."
D) "I will check my blood glucose twice daily."
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; bruising/bleeding requires
provider notification.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen
minutes after
initiation, the client reports chills and low back pain. The nurse should
first:
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Slow the infusion rate
,C) Administer acetaminophen
D) Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: Suspected transfusion reaction requires immediate
discontinuation of blood product.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Pursed-lip breathing
B) Barrel-shaped chest
C) Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D) Use of accessory muscles and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Confusion indicates worsening hypercapnia or hypoxemia;
accessory muscle use shows respiratory distress.
6. A client with major depressive disorder is started on phenelzine, a
monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI). Which food should the nurse instruct the client to
avoid?
A) Broiled chicken
B) Aged cheese
C) Apples
, D) Rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Aged cheese contains tyramine, which can cause
hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The client’s
apical pulse is 52 bpm.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer the digoxin as ordered
B) Hold the dose and reassess in 30 minutes
C) Hold the dose and notify the provider
D) Give atropine to increase heart rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin is held for HR <60 bpm in adults; provider should be
notified.
8. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who has a patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump. The client is somnolent with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min.
Which action is
most important?
A) Encourage deep breathing
B) Discontinue the PCA and administer naloxone
C) Increase the PCA basal rate
